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How To Prepare A Letter of Interest

We have all heard of cover letters. They basically introduce you, describe a handful of your skills, and explicitly request a future meeting with the employer.

Many people, however, have not heard of letters of interest.

A letter of interest is alike to a cover letter, including similar information, but is overall very different.

Cover letters are specifically submitted along with the resume. They are sent when there is an open position that the employer is looking to fill, and when you are actively applying for this position. On the contrary, letters of interest can be sent to employers at any time, regardless of whether or not that company is hiring, or if there are any job positions available.

In short, a letter of interest is still a way to introduce yourself, except the purpose of sending one is to inquire about employment opportunities. You may have guessed, but letters of interests demonstrate your interest in the company.

How Do I Write an Excellent Letter of Interest?

That is a good question. First, let’s discuss the benefits of writing a letter of interest in the first place. When done correctly, letters of interest will express your interest in the company, as well as describe why you would be a very valuable asset. These letters grant you another chance to further describe your capabilities.

Letters of interest can also be particularly useful for those who are seeking new job opportunities, but who do not want to leave their current jobs before knowing they have another in line. As you are able to send these letters regardless of whether or not the company is advertising a job opening, you can market yourself and learn more about potential opportunities without making significant commitments beforehand.

This being said, let’s now discuss how to write a truly excellent letter of interest. Crafting your letter can be a delicate task, but with the help of this framework we provide you below, it is made simple and straightforward. The key things to include are: information catered specifically to your audience, your qualifications/experience, and a request to hear about job opportunities.

Information Catered to Your Audience

It is very important you cater all of the information in your letter of interest to your audience’s wants and needs. It is very wise to extensively research the company to which you are applying. You should understand the mission of the company deeply, and also what qualities they will find most appealing. It should be very clear to the reader that you did not just send out a bulk load of letters of interest to many different companies.

After all, it is possible the company does not currently have any explicit job openings. If you are attempting to voice why you will be very valuable to them despite that fact, you should ensure you explain why that specific company is special. Furthermore, you should explain why they should take the time and energy to consider how they might integrate you.

In addition, it is generally wise to know a sufficient amount of information about the company you are interested in working for anyway.

When applying, those who generally know more about the company appear more prepared, and are generally more favorable.

Plus, there is likely a specific reason why you are taking the time yourself to draft a letter of interest in the first place.

You likely know enough about the company to know you would enjoy working for it. Make sure you expressly communicate why this is the case in your letter!

Qualifications/Experiences

The letter of interest is your opportunity to introduce yourself, and highlight your most desirable and valuable traits. It is also important describe your qualifications, and other experiences that might make you attractive to the company of which you are interested. It is very important that you do not simply list all of your strengths.

This is unoriginal, and generally viewed as arrogant and unaware. Instead, provide two or three examples of the skills or qualities you possess, and then supply a very brief statement as evidence for each.

For example, you may write, “I am very skilled with leading large groups. In 2010, I organized and led Mission of Mercy, which provided free dental services to impoverished individuals for two full days.” This statement shares one of your valuable skills, and then provides a brief supporting statement that legitimizes the skill.

Moreover, as mentioned, it is very critical to cater this information to your intended audience. For example, the aforementioned statement is likely unwise to include in your letter of interest if the company never works with large groups.

Request to Hear about Job Opportunities

This is perhaps the entire purpose of writing letters of interest. Individuals write them in order to inform themselves about potential job opportunities a company has available.

In the case you are writing a letter of interest, and you are unsure if the company has job opportunities available, it is wise to directly ask if the reader believes there is any possibility the company might find you valuable.

Moreover, you should specifically express your interest in taking the jobs if they are available. For example, if you are interested in obtaining a finance job, you can write something such as, “I would be very interested if you had any finance positions available for hire.” This statement is succinct, and clearly expresses your desires to work for the company. On the other hand, if you are writing a letter of interest, and know certainly that the company has job positions available, it is wise to inquire more about these positions.

For instance, you may state, “I am very interested in learning more about your available finance position. I believe I am an excellent fit.” Writing this, you express both that you would enjoy working for the company, and also that you believe you would benefit the company.

Letters of interest are fantastic mechanisms that, when used correctly, can further highlight you as a wonderful addition to the company, as well as provide information regarding new job opportunities that are relevant to you. It is very important to understand the correct approaches to take when writing these letters. Fortunately, with the aid of this framework we have provided, this process is made simple and straightforward!